Artificial denture.



PATENTBD JAN. 28, 1906.

J. M. CARD. ARTIFICIAL DENTURE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1905.

Z SHEETS-SHEET l.

2/91; I211 m o m J. M. CARD. 'ARTIPIGIAL DENTURE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1905,

PATENTED JAN. 23, 1906.

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UNITED STATES JOHN M. CARD, OF OLEAN, NEW YORK.

ARTIFICIAL DENTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 23, 1906.

Application filed July 10,1905- Serial No. 269,100.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN M. CARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Olean, in the county of Cattaraugus and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ArtificialDentures, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the manufacture of artificial dentures orplates, and c0ntemplates a simple and practical process for mak ing animproved construction of plate of perfect form and articulation andhaving great molecular strength.

The invention also has in view an improved process of making dentalplates wherein the various steps of making the complete plate, exclusiveof the finishing operation of vulcanizing and polishing, are carried outwhile the model is on the articulator. In this connection the presentapplication contemplates another phase of the invention covered by mypending application filed May 19, 1905, Serial No. 261,221.

The essential features of the invention are susceptible to modification;but for illustrative purposes the preferred embodiment of the processand article are shown in the ac companying drawings, in which Figure lis a perspective view of the articulator, illustrating the manner ofcarrying out the process of completing a dental plate or artificialdenture thereon. Fig. 2 is a crosssectional view of the plate or denturein process of formation upon the model carried by one jaw of thearticulator. Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view of the plate ordenture shown inverted and illustrating the same partly completed toexpose the various elements employed in the manufacture there of. Fig. 4is a detail in perspective of the metal base as it is shaped to the formof the model to provide the base upon which the denture is built up.Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a fragment of the plate ordenture, illustrating more clearly the individual tooth-fastening. Fig.6 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a plate or denture,illustrating a modified structure. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view ofthe com plete plate shown in Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective andcross-sectional views, respectively, of another form of platemanufactured by the process claimed herein.

Like reference -numerals designate corresponding parts in the severalfigures of the drawings.

The present invention involves no change in the usual method of makingthe denturemodel and the bite-casting, as the steps of the processclaimed herein are taken up after the bite and denture model are placedupon the jaws of an articulator, as fully explained in my otherapplication referred to.

For illustrative purposes there is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings anordinary type of articulator. This articulator is designated in itsentirety by the numeral 1 and essentially consists of the upper andlower jaw members 2 and 3, which, respectively, carry the denture-model4 and the bite-cast 5. The steps pursued in manufacturing the preferredform of plate or denture according to the present process may be brieflyrecited as follows: When the plaster-of-paris model is on thearticulator, as described, the first step in the process is theproduction of the metal base, (designated by the numeral 6.) This metalbase consists of a piece of sheet metal, preferably of aluminium, onaccount of its desirable qualities for this purpose. This piece of sheetmetal is cut to the size and general configuration required and afterbeing annealed is pressed on the model to the exact shape of the wholelingual surface of the jaw. In this operation the metal base is shapedby fingerpressure and the rounded end of a stick or equivalent tool, asno die or counter-die or swaging is required to secure this shaping.After shaping the aluminium or equivalent base 6 to the shape of thelingual surface of the jaw the said metal base is punctured along thealveolar ridge portion thereof with a continuous series ofretaining-holes 7 to facilitate the anchoring or fastening of the rubberparts in the manner to be presently explained. After the preparation ofthe metal base the next step in the process is to coat theplaster-of-paris model 4 of the jaw with a thin solution of rubberdissolved in chloroform or other solvent. This coating may be referredto as the primary rubber coating and is designated by the numeral 8 onthe drawings. After the application of this coat ing the next step is toheat a very thin sheet 9 of waxable rubber or ordinary dental rubber andapply it over the entire lingual and labial surfaces of the model. Thenthe punctured metal base 6 is positioned upon the secondary rubbercoating 9. In applying the metal base in position the said base, as Wellas the secondary rubber coating 9, is heated, so that by firmly pressingthe plate onto the plastic coating 9 the same will firmly adherethereto, and in this connection the retaining-holes 7 receive sufiicientof the rubber to assist materially in fastening down the metal base onthe model.

The plate as so far prepared is ready for the articulation of theartificial teeth 10, the positions of which are determined in theordinary manner. Each artificial tooth 10 is set upon the alveolar ridgeof the metal base 6 through the medium of a plastic holdingpiece 11,preferably consisting of waxable or ordinary dental rubber. Onlysuflicient of the plastic holding-piece 1 1 is placed upon theperforated ridge portion 7 of the metal base 6 to provide for holdingeach tooth in position, and to assist in properly fastening each tooththe latter is provided upon its inner side with one or more headedanchoring-pins 12, embedded in the plastic piece 11, as plainly shown inthe enlarged detail, Fig. 5 of the drawings. In this connection it willbe observed that the plastic material 11 also fills into theretaining-holes and securely fastens the teeth to the metal base 6.

When the teeth are articulated in the manner described, the surpluswaxable rubber used in attaching the teeth to the metal plate is trimmedoff, and the exposed portions of the plasticmaterial 11 at the lingualsides of the denture are covered by a continuous finishing-strip 13,extending entirely around the set of teeth at the lingual side thereofand serving to finish off the plate or denture at this point.

To provide for finishing the labial surface of the plate ordenture, asufficient quantity of pink or gum-colored dental rubber is dissolved inany suitable solvent and worked to the consistency of very thick cream.To this plastic mass of pink or gum-colored rubber are added coloredmineral salts and red mineral pigments in certain proportions to make aperfect plastic pink or gum-shade, and in this semiliquid condition thesaid pink or gumcolored rubber is applied with a small brush to theentire labial surface of the plate or denture and worked into theinterstices between the teeth at the labial side of the plate. Afterallowing the labial coating 14 of gum-colored rubber to stand a fewminutes the model is cut from the articulator and placed in a dentalflask and subjected to the usual vulcanizing operation. When the plateor denture is vulcanized, the same is removed from the flask andpolished in the usual way.

The essential features of the process may be preserved in the formationof modified forms of platessuch, for instance, as illustrated in Figs. 6to 9, inclusive, of the drawings. In the plate or denture shown in Figs.6 and 7 the steps of the process are exactly the same as alreadydescribed, with the exception that no rubber coating or plasticmatemodel.

rial is applied to the lingual surface of the Then the only changeobserved in the process already described is that after forming andshaping the metal base 6 in the manner set forth a labial rubber strip15, of waxable rubber, is applied on the labial surface andalveolar'ridge of the model, after which the metal base 6 is pressedinto place on the model and said labial strip by finger-pressure, Withthe aid of a rounded stick or equivalent too]. However, in connectionwith this form of denture or plate it will be observed that the sameprovides a lingual and palatine surface entirely of metal and a labialsurface entirely of plastic or dental rubber. Another modified form ofdenture or plate manufactured by the process is shown in Figs. 8 and 9of the drawings. In this construction the metal base (designated by therefere11ce-numeral 6 is swaged through the medium of a die orcounter-dieto the exact configuration of the model of the jaw for theentire lingual and labial surfaces thereof. Said metal base 6 is notonly provided in the alveolar ridge thereof with a continuous series ofretaining holes 7 but is also formed with a perforated labial flange 16.After swaging the said base 6 in the exact form desired the same isplaced upon .the model 4, which it will exactly fit. After positioningthe metal base 6 upon-the model in the manner described in connectionwith either of the forms of the invention previously referred to acontinuous rubber articulating-rib 17 is placed around the entirealveolar ridge of the metal base and pressed onto the same firmly, sothat the rubber material will squeeze into the retaining-holes 7 andthereby anchor the said rib in place. This articulating-rib 17 ispreferably made of a piece of waxable rubber, which is first heated andthen manipulated into the required length and form, so as to provide abase or body upon which the individual teeth are articulated. To providefor the mounting of the individual teeth, a small piece of waxablerubber is pressed onto the pins 12 of the tooth and after being slightlywarm is pressed into the rubber rib 17, said rubber rib, in effect,subserving the same function as the plastic holding pieces 11, shown anddescribed in connection with the other forms of the invention. WVhen allof the teeth are properly articulated, the surplus rubber connecting thesame to the base is trimmed off, and then a continuous finishing-strip13, similar to the strip 13, previously referred to, is placed over allof the connections at the lingual side of the teeth. The purpose ofusing ordinary dental rubber for the strip 13 over waxable rubber isthat it makes a perfect finish, which is not possible with the waxableor vulcanizable gutta percha. To provide for finishing the plate ordenture shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, a labial coating 1 1 ofgum-colored rub- ICC ber similar to that already described, is appliedon the perforated labial flange 16 and in and about the teeth at thelabial side thereof.

In all of the forms herein described it will be observed that all of thesteps of the process exclusive of the vulcanizingand polishingoperations are completed on the model While upon the articulator.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed, and desired to besecured by Letters Patent, is

1. A process of making dental plates which consists in forming a modeland fastening it to the articulator, then conforming a metal base to themodel, articulating the teeth on the ridge of the metal base, andfinally applying a gum-colored labial coating in semiliquid form uponthe labial surface.

2. A process of making dental plates which consists in forming a modeland fastening it to the articulator, then conforming a metal base to themodel and perforating the ridge of said base, next setting the teeth ina plastic holding-piece upon the perforated ridge of the metal base, andfinally applying a labial coating of gum-colored rubber in semiliquidform upon the labial side of the model.

3. A process of making dental plates which consists in forming a modeland fastening it to the articulator, then conforming a metal base with aperforated rim to the model, next setting up the teeth in a plasticholding-piece upon the perforated portion of the metal base, applying arubber finishing-strip about the supports for the teeth at the lingualside thereof, and finally applying a labial coating 1 of gum-coloredrubber in a semiliquid form over the labialsurface of the model and inand about the teeth at the labial sides thereof.

4. A process of making dental plates which consists in forming a modeland fastening it to the articulator, then shaping a metal plate to themodel, next coating the model with a thin rubber solution, then applyinga rubber sheet over both the labial and lingual surfaces of the model,next applying a metal base upon the rubber sheet, articulating the teethuponthe ridge of the metal plate, then applying a continuous strip ofdental rubber about the ridge of the plate at the lingual side of theteeth, and finally applying a gumcolored labial rubber coating insemiliquid form on the labial surface of the model and in and about theteeth at the labial sides thereof.

5. A dental plate consisting of a metal base having retaining-holes inthe ridge thereof, artificial teeth articulated upon and anchored to theperforated ridge of the base, a continuous rubber finishing-stripextending about the ridge of the plate at the lingual sides of the teethand over the fastenings thereof, and a gum-colored labial coatingextending in and about the teeth at the labial sides thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN M. CARD.

Witnesses:

EDGAR D. NEWTON, WM. H. CARD.

